Hidden type quick-release wheel hub assembly with reinforcing arrangement

ABSTRACT

A quick-release wheel hub assembly includes a hub with an axial hole. The hub further includes a compartment defined in each of two ends thereof, and the wall of one compartment includes a circular slot, each end of the hub further including a shoulder. Two bearings are mounted in the compartments, respectively. Each bearing has an end that bears against the shoulder of an associated end. A shaft is extended through the axial hole of the hub and the bearings. A sleeve is mounted around the shaft and positioned between the bearings. The sleeve may reliably prevent disengagement of the hub from the shaft. In addition, the strength of the shaft is improved. 
     A c-shaped ring is mounted in the circular slot beside the other end of one bearing for fixing the bearing and preventing the bearing from dropping.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 091357,998 filed on Jul. 21, 1999.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an improved hidden type quick-release wheel hub assembly, and more particularly to a hidden type quick-release wheel hub assembly with a reinforcing arrangement to reinforce the structure.

2. Description of the Related Art

FIG. 5 of the drawings illustrates a typical quick-release wheel hub assembly that includes a hub 20 with an axial hole 21, each end of the hub 20 including a compartment 22 and a shoulder 23, two bearings 24 respectively received in the compartments 22 and respectively bearing against the shoulders 23, and a shaft 25 extended through the bearings 24 and the axial hole 21 of the hub 20. A nut 26 is threadedly engaged with an end of the shaft 25. FIG. 6 illustrates a sectional view of the quick-release wheel hub assembly. It is, however, found that the shaft 25, as having a smooth peripheral surface, may be moved longitudinally relative to the bearings 24 when it is subjected to a relatively larger force or it rotates at high speed. This results in an unstable structure. Namely, the hub 20 might be disengaged from the shaft 25 and thus endangers the cyclist. In addition, the shaft 25 is generally tubular for installation of the quick-release and thus adversely affects its strength. Namely, the shaft 25 tends to bend when subjected to a larger force. The present invention is intended to provide an improved quick-release wheel hub assembly to solve these problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A quick-release wheel hub assembly in accordance with the present invention comprises a hub with an axial hole. The hub further includes a compartment defined in each of two ends thereof, a circular slot defined on the wall of one compartment thereof, and each end of the hub further including a shoulder. Two bearings are mounted in the compartments, respectively. Each bearing has an end that bears against the shoulder of an associated end. A shaft is extended through the axial hole of the hub and the bearings. A sleeve is mounted around the shaft and positioned between the bearings. The sleeve may reliably prevent disengagement of the hub from the shaft. In addition, the strength of the shaft is improved. A c-shaped ring is mounted in the circular slot and positioned beside the other end of one bearing. The c-shaped ring may fix the bearing, and prevent the bearing from dropping.

Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a quick-release wheel hub assembly in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the quick-release wheel hub assembly in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the quick-release wheel hub assembly in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic top view, partially sectioned, illustrating engagement of the quick-release wheel hub assembly in accordance with the present invention and a wheel rim;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional quick-release wheel hub assembly, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the conventional quick-release wheel hub assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 6 and initially to FIGS. 1 through 3, a hidden type quick-release wheel hub assembly in accordance with the present invention generally includes a hub 10 having an axial hole 11 and a shaft 15 extended through the axial hole 11. Each end of the hub 10 includes a compartment 12 a, 12 b (FIG. 2) for receiving a bearing 14 a, 14 b. The wall 12 c of the compartment 12 a includes a circular slot 12 d in which a c-shaped ring 16 b mounted. Each end of the hub 10 further includes a shoulder 13 a, 13 b (FIG. 2) against which an associated bearing 14 a, 14 b bears. The shaft 15 includes a sleeve 16 mounted therearound and located between the bearings 14 a and 14 b for reinforcing the shaft 15 and preventing disengagement of the hub 10 from the shaft 15. The hub 10 further includes a nut 17 a threadedly engaged on an end thereof

In assembly, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the sleeve 16 is mounted around the shaft 15 and secured to the shaft 15 by soldering. The bearing 14 a is mounted in the compartment 12 a in the axial hole 11 of the hub 10. The other bearing 14 b is then mounted around the shaft 15 and bears against an end of the sleeve 16. Next, the shaft 15 is extended through the axial hole 11 of the hub 10 and the bearing 14 a in the hub 10 such that the bearing 14 a is around the shaft 15 and bears against the other end of the sleeve 16 while retaining the bearing 14 b in the compartment 12 b in the hub 10. Then, the c-shaped ring 16 b is inserted in the compartment 12 a, and mounted in the circular slot 12 d for fixing the bearing 14 a and preventing the bearing 14 a from dropping. After attaching the nut 17 a to an end of the shaft 15, an anti-dust cap 17 is attached to cover an end of the axial hole 11 of the hub 10 adjacent to the nut 17 a.

In an embodiment of the invention, each end of the c-shaped ring 16 b may includes a hole 16 c, as shown in FIG. 1. This is advantageous for a special pliers can squeezes the c-shaped ring 16 b, and for the c-shaped ring 16 b can be mounted in the circular slot 12 d easily.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, when in use, the hub 10 can be connected to an end of each of a multiplicity of spokes 19, the other end of each spoke 19 is connected to a wheel rim 18.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A quick-release wheel hub assembly comprising: a hub including an axial hole, the hub including a compartment defined in each of two ends thereof, a wall of one said compartment including a circular slot, each said end of the hub further including a shoulder; two bearings mounted in the compartments, respectively, each said bearing having an end that bears against the shoulder of an associated said end; a shaft extended through the axial hole of the hub and the bearings; a sleeve secured on the shaft and positioned between the bearings for reinforcing said shaft and preventing disengagement of said hub from said shaft; and a c-shaped ring secured in the circular slot and positioned beside the other end of one said bearing, to fix one said bearing, and to prevent one said bearing from detaching from said compartment of said hub, said c-shaped ring having two ends each defining a hole, thereby facilitating mounting of said c-shaped ring in said circular slot. 